I think it is a much smaller contributer to failure than many believe.
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Now that the PS4 has already outsold the Wii U, where does Nintendo go from here?
- Thread starter Gonzo The Great
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I think it is a much smaller contributer to failure than many believe.
KennyLinder
Member
Probably equal to it looking like a Wii and having an almost indistinguishable logo from the last console.
D
Deleted member 752119
Unconfirmed Member
Agreed. The name confusion really only affects the very casual gamers and non-gamers who impulse bought Wiis just for Wii Sports. And very few of those people were ever going to buy another console anyway as it was just a one time fad thing for them. If they're still gaming they've mostly moved on to tablets and smart phone and Facebook.
People who bought Wiis and played core games like Mario, Metroid, Zelda etc. are mostly informed enough about gaming to know the Wii U is Nintendo's new console and not a Wii add-on.
I dont know really, so many people to this day dont understand or know there is a successor to the Wii. Wii U games get thrown in the Wii rack in my local store, even as a Nintendude I have a hard time telling the logos apart.
The main reason why they even knew of the Wii was due to novelty. It was all over the news and Nintendo was getting free advertising. It was a sensation. Now nobody cares. No specials on your local news stations. No one going gaga over it in public.
By that logic noone buys an iPad 2,3,4 and so on either. Only the first iPad was a phenomenon.
What? Wii sold on novelty, and it was all over the media without really needing much input from Nintendo to get a huge amount of exposure on a console which otherwise casuals wouldn't have known about. The original Ipad got the same initial treatment of heavy coverage but sells not just on novelty, it is a general computing device. That thing does everything. People were waiting for the 2, 3, 4 to be announced etc and they come every year. After the Wii fizzled, for all practical purposes Nintendo was dead to casuals. It would be years before the Wii U would be out and they weren't exactly champing at the bit waiting for details of a successor.
emiranda061288
Banned
release some games and I will keep buying them.
Nikodemos
Member
Yup. I remember it being featured during the first (two? I think) seasons of True Blood. Dat female casual gamer demographic.
Neff
Member
This is such a good point. But unfortunately they're caught between wanting gamers and non-gamers, hence the safe, lifestyle-y, disposable entertainment sell. 'NOW YOU'RE PLAYING WITH POWER!!!' etc is going to scare off women and over-40s, and Nintendo doesn't want that. They're still stuck (or at least their advertisers are) in Wii pitch mode.
As good as Grotesque's post is, this is the most succinct and accurate one in this thread.
D
Deleted member 752119
Unconfirmed Member
Really all they can do is focus on getting as many AAA first party games out as possible.
It will help sells, and even if they never get a huge boost in console sales, they can at least sell a few million of most of their first party franchises to the base they do have since there's no competition from third parties on the platform.
Get games out, get price down to $250 and then $200 as quickly as they can without losing too much money, and make the most out of this gen and go back to the drawing board for the next go around in 2-3 years.
It will help sells, and even if they never get a huge boost in console sales, they can at least sell a few million of most of their first party franchises to the base they do have since there's no competition from third parties on the platform.
Get games out, get price down to $250 and then $200 as quickly as they can without losing too much money, and make the most out of this gen and go back to the drawing board for the next go around in 2-3 years.
I think the Wii U name is absolutely part of the problem, especially combined with how Nintendo is marketing it.
I work in IT and had the following exchange with a co worker (who is a gamer, but not like a hardcore follows all the news gamer. He bought a PS4 on launch day and owned a Wii/PS3 before hand):
Me: Man, I bought a Wii U, it's pretty sweet. You gotta come check out the new mario
Him: Oh yeah man, I'm always down to play Mario
Him: So how does that work? Does the tablet dock to the TV or something?
Me: What do you mean? It connects to the console. You know it's actually a new console right?
Him: Really? I thought it was just a new controller that you used with the Wii.
I then show him a google image of the new console with the gamepad.
Him: That is literally the first time I've seen the actual console
Me: This is Nintendo's problem. You just described it exactly, thank you.
I work in IT and had the following exchange with a co worker (who is a gamer, but not like a hardcore follows all the news gamer. He bought a PS4 on launch day and owned a Wii/PS3 before hand):
Me: Man, I bought a Wii U, it's pretty sweet. You gotta come check out the new mario
Him: Oh yeah man, I'm always down to play Mario
Him: So how does that work? Does the tablet dock to the TV or something?
Me: What do you mean? It connects to the console. You know it's actually a new console right?
Him: Really? I thought it was just a new controller that you used with the Wii.
I then show him a google image of the new console with the gamepad.
Him: That is literally the first time I've seen the actual console
Me: This is Nintendo's problem. You just described it exactly, thank you.
Byakuya769
Member
(cross posting because I think it's relevant here)
I actually think they should focus on handhelds, look towards VR as their next "wii," and look into leveraging their IP into a "Nintendo Now" like service. They have the cash to spend deeply on R&D for the latter two options and should.
And they can always acquire a company that is deep in VR hardware/software development, same goes for streaming/cloud based computing.
I actually think they should focus on handhelds, look towards VR as their next "wii," and look into leveraging their IP into a "Nintendo Now" like service. They have the cash to spend deeply on R&D for the latter two options and should.
And they can always acquire a company that is deep in VR hardware/software development, same goes for streaming/cloud based computing.
NoMoreTrolls
Banned
This. Holy shit I can't believe how many times that persecution laden wall o' text has been posted.
I think they should just stay the course, and by that I mean they should keep doing exactly what they're doing with the 3DS but with the Wii U. "If you build it, they will come" doesn't apply with system hardware, but it does with software.
3DS was dead in the water after its first 6 months. Everybody was ready to hit the panic button and the cries for the N to give up hardware and focus on first party titles on other platforms became more frequent.
A year later and it was a totally different story. I completely wrote off the 3DS when it first launched because I thought I'd been ripped off by the Wii's gimmick and was bitter at Nintendo for it. But a few months ago, I saw just how many great titles were out for it and how many were still on the horizon and as a gamer I had no choice but to get one. Because I like playing great games, no matter what the system is.
So ultimately, I think quality titles (and a lot of them) will help rid the bitter taste left in pretty much any gamer's mouth from the Wii. Keep doing Nintendo Direct, keep making good games with Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid, etc., and somehow get the studios making all these great 3DS third-party games to make games for Wii U and they will be fine.
3DS was dead in the water after its first 6 months. Everybody was ready to hit the panic button and the cries for the N to give up hardware and focus on first party titles on other platforms became more frequent.
A year later and it was a totally different story. I completely wrote off the 3DS when it first launched because I thought I'd been ripped off by the Wii's gimmick and was bitter at Nintendo for it. But a few months ago, I saw just how many great titles were out for it and how many were still on the horizon and as a gamer I had no choice but to get one. Because I like playing great games, no matter what the system is.
So ultimately, I think quality titles (and a lot of them) will help rid the bitter taste left in pretty much any gamer's mouth from the Wii. Keep doing Nintendo Direct, keep making good games with Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid, etc., and somehow get the studios making all these great 3DS third-party games to make games for Wii U and they will be fine.
Fox Mulder
Member
and they'll be lucky to match the GameCube's success staying the course. They have a $300 console no one wants and that they have been incapable of marketing effectively.
Spieler Eins
Member
Not possible though. With their sheer lack of foresight or any kind of preparation for the whole last generation apparently, it's too late to save the WiiU. The 3DS ,,rescue'' is just another ridiculous problem. They had more of their teams than ever before working on a handheld, now they need to come back to the console side and it basically boiled down to a bunch of interviews lately consisting of ,,w-w-what is this HD magic?!!?!''. 3DS also has 3rd parties, while the WiiU... yeah
They need to take significant actions, but these will only benefit the next console (if they are actually done).
Just my two cents.
I think Nintendo does well because of its awesome game designers and reputation.
I believe these designers thrived during Wii and ds despite iwata, not because of iwata.
Meaning sales could have been even better than they were if they didn't spend so much time and resources on their gimmicks that iwata pushes. If for whatever reason they dump him, which they probably won't, ill buy Nintendo stock
I think Nintendo does well because of its awesome game designers and reputation.
I believe these designers thrived during Wii and ds despite iwata, not because of iwata.
Meaning sales could have been even better than they were if they didn't spend so much time and resources on their gimmicks that iwata pushes. If for whatever reason they dump him, which they probably won't, ill buy Nintendo stock
Could be true. For me, ultimately, I just want Nintendo first party games. That's all. So whether it's on a Wii U or on other consoles, it doesn't really matter. The only problem with that is that I end up paying money for Nintendo consoles that are only good for 1st party games. Which I'm okay with doing if I can wait awhile - get a used console and then used games and it's worth it.
In this case, Super Mario 3D World put me over the edge to buy one (with Pikmin 3 and Wonderful 101 already titles I wanted a lot). Now I'm just another idiot who spent a bunch of money on an eventually useless Nintendo console.
Unless somehow they can pull some 3DS-type magic with the Wii U, of course.
I don't see how it is any less stupid when it comes to sports. And if it can be part of the fun in a sports context, I don't see why the same shouldn't be true of something like video games.
I guess it's just stupid fun that some people take too seriously.
I agree - this would be fine by me.
If you're counting the sales of SM3DW on fingers, that's quite a few hands. And if you don't mind that idiocy, then you can just as well count GTAV's sales on fingers too.
If this is how you look at it, I don't see how every console ever made would escape being described as "eventually useless". And thus, all the people who ever bought a console could be described as "just another idiot".
Regardless, they should almost certainly be investing at least a LITTLE bit in cellular environment R&D. Not necessarily to go in this route, but to not be completely and utterly fucked if they do need to go down this road.
Nealand Liquor
Member
I would eat a plate of brains for ZombiU to show up on the ps4...
googleplex
Member
No. This is how people get burned by Nintendo platforms and end up not going back.
The same shit happened to me with the GameCube. I bought one for Zelda: The wind waker, Metroid prime, and RE4. Then it just sat there collecting dust. I swore to myself in would never do that again.
Unfortunately I got caught up in the Wii launch hype and and ran out and bought one. I then realized how much of a weak garbage system it was with in a week and sold it.
Never again.
MrNyarlathotep
Banned
Why didn't you buy more games for either of those consoles then?
Because it seems like your huge problem had an incredibly easy solution.
Sometimes a system and its games just don't resonate with a person. With the wii, I hated all 12+ games I bought for it except for Mario Galaxy 1&2, which are my favorite games of all time.
Because of SMG1&2, I got a wii u. NSMBU + Nintendoland I could not finish. ZombiU was a glitchy morose mess, not enjoyable. Pikmin3 was boring because there was no challenge. Wonderful 101 just didn't click with me. The last game I bought, and probably the last game I will buy for the system, was SM3DW. After about 3-4 hours, I put it away. I just had no desire to play it, it felt empty. It did get me to start playing Galaxy1 again, which I am absolutely loving 2nd time around.
I really tried to like the system, and I've spent a good $250 on games, but sometimes, despite all the hype, a system just feels like a big waste for a person and can sour their view of a company.
So, yeah, the wii u has kind of soured me on nintendo home consoles & I get where googleplex is coming from.
That's easier said than done and Nintendo's biggest problem. Nintendo absolutely cannot expect to base a successful console relying on their trickle of first party releases. The usual suspects of Mario platformers, Zelda and Mario Kart aren't enough. They've never been enough! Yet there's no indication that Nintendo are prepared to do anything about it. They seem incompetent.
Rhazer Fusion
Member
Considering it has had a year head start, imo It isn't THAT MUCH better right now. I can admit though, imo the Wii U in it's short existence has definitely had/will have a better line-up than the Wii though. Unfortunately, in the modern era it seems like it doesn't matter how many supposed great games you have, but what matters more is do you have the games casuals or the mainstream want to play.
Imagine that - you need games people want to play! Besides, Nintendo don't have a monopoly on great games. And the game series they do have are danger of becoming stale. Variety is the spice of life but Nintendo seem to think so. They used to have a varied software lineup that included serious sports game, various racing games and first person shooters. Now? Double down on Mario and mini games. Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta are a step in the right direction but not nearly enough. X looks beautiful but we don't have much info on it.
Sony understand the need for variety, even MS do.
It does highlight the extent of the delusion, in any case.
i bought a vita mostly for tearaway, and also to try out ys due to memories of celceta coming out soon. because i've invested in the hardware, i'll dabble in other efforts. but if those are the only two games i enjoy for the system, i'm not blaming sony for creating a piece of hardware with 'no games' that 'collects dust.' i should have known my tastes better.
as of right now tearaway was rad and ys was neat, so i feel i've gotten what i wanted out of it. everything else is gravy.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
Good, because Vita insane attach rate confirms that you are a exception.
i think it played a big part, expecially during the console's first months when it needed to estabilish brand recognition, and quick
really, should've been Wii 2.
that's one hell of a way to selectively quote someone.
I think the concept of hell is ridiculous.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
Because Vita is always in the middle of related discussions in a WiiU thread.
what does portal have to do with this
First post I've read in this thread, and I don't think I'll find one I agree with more.
i was offering my personal perspective on a platform i was initially on the fence on and pretty much bought one game. i wasn't using it as a general comparison to the wii u. i guess i should have used the original xbox, which i only bought eight games for and found the system satisfying despite that.
Everything.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
Well, sorry If I misunderstood. But the Vita Vs WiiU talk tends to come from nowhere in this threads and the post you quoted was about a negative experience that leaved a user burned out.
How i see the company going. 12-18 months WII U gets scrapped. Unless a huge rally in sales
18-36 months. Entire hardware division folds, Nintendo moves to being a third party publisher.
The problem Nintendo has, the WII U is a failure and no change in marketing message is going to fix it. Globally dedicated mobile gaming devices are losing relevance as mobile devices become better. If they don't start publishing on third party i don't see Nintendo around in 3-4 years
18-36 months. Entire hardware division folds, Nintendo moves to being a third party publisher.
The problem Nintendo has, the WII U is a failure and no change in marketing message is going to fix it. Globally dedicated mobile gaming devices are losing relevance as mobile devices become better. If they don't start publishing on third party i don't see Nintendo around in 3-4 years
maybe another one would be how i bought a ps4 and realized as i bought the ps4 that i had just been swept up in the hype and didn't actually want one, nor saw myself playing any of the currently-announced or released games for the system. it's not sony's fault i bought an unappealing system- i should have been more considerate to my own tastes.
the vita is actually the sony system i want. as in, it looks like the library is much more appealing to me. so i'm pretty happy with it even if it's only two games so far (i didn't ever have a psp so there's a huge backlog too).
GillianSeed79
Member
3DS seems to be doing well. I can see them doing what they did during the GCN years/late Wii years. Ride out the rest of the gen while relying on their portable division and whatever profit they can make out of first-party Nintendo games on the WiiU. I seriously doubt they are going to pull a Dreamcast with the WiiU unless retailers refuse to carry it.
I'm curious from an academic standpoint what they'll do next generation console-wise. Do they backtrack and try to enter the hardware arms race by releasing a really powerful system or do they keep along the path they are now? I've actually heard people suggest that they offer like a micro-console or network/streaming service where they open up the entire Nintendo library for a subscription fee. I'd actually be interested in that.
They'll always have their portable division. I just don't see how they recapture the Wii's success without trying to go big with specs or something. Unless they blow everyone's minds and pull off console VR or something.
I'm curious from an academic standpoint what they'll do next generation console-wise. Do they backtrack and try to enter the hardware arms race by releasing a really powerful system or do they keep along the path they are now? I've actually heard people suggest that they offer like a micro-console or network/streaming service where they open up the entire Nintendo library for a subscription fee. I'd actually be interested in that.
They'll always have their portable division. I just don't see how they recapture the Wii's success without trying to go big with specs or something. Unless they blow everyone's minds and pull off console VR or something.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
In my case, even if I am extremely critical of Nintendo and the WiiU, I actually like having one. But it helped that it was a gift and I didn't need to pay for it. And yeah, I buy mostly Nintendo games... But I know that console could or should have been better in arrival, and right know I prefer the novelty of PS4 even if is just 3 games right now.
In other hand, I unconditionally love my 3DS and my Vita.
I'm sorry but not being able to enjoy games because the machine its on "doesn't resonate with you" is just...what? Are you five?
Consoles are not your friends. These devices are a means to play shit and you really shouldn't be so emotionally attached to a bunch of plastic and chips that looking at the thing puts you off. Thats...sad?
A good game is good even if its running on a pink, turd-shaped system called Precious.
Consoles are not your friends. These devices are a means to play shit and you really shouldn't be so emotionally attached to a bunch of plastic and chips that looking at the thing puts you off. Thats...sad?
A good game is good even if its running on a pink, turd-shaped system called Precious.
darkistheway
Member
Nintendo needs to give me another X trailer - the last one's hype is starting to wear off.
Nintendo Wii U. I wonder...
A console/stream box hybrid. A handheld/tablet hybrid. Connected together by Nintendo MiiVerse & eShop Spotify/Netflix like service for Nintendo's legacy in the industry - from NES/Gameboy to WiiU/3DS.
A console/stream box hybrid. A handheld/tablet hybrid. Connected together by Nintendo MiiVerse & eShop Spotify/Netflix like service for Nintendo's legacy in the industry - from NES/Gameboy to WiiU/3DS.
GillianSeed79
Member
See, I would fucking buy this in a heartbeat. I feel like Nintendo sometimes treats its properties like Disney and the infamous vault. I bought a Wii for the Virtual Console tbqh and the service never really delivered.
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